Contract Inside IR35 = Anything Goes?

[eek]

Do I need to provide a sick note if I am not an employee? Also, what is the length of time that a sick note would cover and for what kind of issue? Sorry if that seems like a ridiculous question but I'm not in the habit of getting doctor's sick notes and wouldn't want anything drastic being added to my medical records!

You want the sick note because its the paperwork that demonstrates why you aren't working any notice period.

Without the sick note the manager will continue to call you, with it the manager can do nothing as if he does you would have every right to make formal complaints to his HR and his manager.

[Willy Win]

You want the sick note because its the paperwork that demonstrates why you aren't working any notice period

Ok, but who would I send that sick note to? Not HR I'm assuming as I am contracting via the agency and quite honestly, depending on what is on the sick note, I would rather not have just anyone being able to see it.

Also, what would happen when it comes to getting a reference for another contract if I find something else before my notice is up? Technically could the agency then withhold any further pay because they receive a reference request signalling that I must have been well enough to work after all? I'm assuming they would then give a reference stating I'd gone off sick which could possibly raise alarm bells to any other potential client

[eek]

Ok, but who would I send that sick note to? Not HR I'm assuming as I am contracting via the agency and quite honestly, depending on what is on the sick note, I would rather not have just anyone being able to see it.

Also, what would happen when it comes to getting a reference for another contract if I find something else before my notice is up? Technically could the agency then withhold any further pay because they receive a reference request signalling that I must have been well enough to work after all? I'm assuming they would then give a reference stating I'd gone off sick which could possibly raise alarm bells to any other potential client

You are using the sicknote to be "polite" and cover your backside if the client and agency wish to be stupid (which they may well do)

As for references - don't put the contract on your CV and use a friend to provide one for a period when you weren't working.

You are panicking here which shows that you need to walk away and not sweat about it.

Step 1 today is get a new mobile phone number as you may need it...

[ladymuck]

It is a grey area as fit notes (as they're now called) are for employees to prove they're entitled to sick pay from their employer. However, I get eek's logic in that if you've been signed off as 'unfit for work' then the hiring manager should leave well alone. Whether they will 'because you're not an employee' is a different matter entirely.

If the hiring manager is going to be an arse about you leaving then you're absolutely doing the right thing. I would generally say it's best to talk to them but you've tried that and, as the prospect of talking to them gives you the fears, I'm not sure what is to be gained from it.

Another option is to call in sick on Monday and take the week off. You're ill, you don't have to give specifics and you don't need proof for anything less than 7 days. Then go for a chat with your GP in that week and ask them if they'll sign you off. As you've recently had an operation, they're going to be sympathetic to the need for a working environment that helps you recover.

Your hiring manager may be so incensed at you daring to take a week off ill that they sack you - win, win!

[NotAllThere]

No contract or job is worth your health. Take the advice above. While searching for your next contract, get the latest edition of Yourdon's Death March book. It's about projects such as yours. They're idiots not following the processes, stacking up technical debt that will bite them on the arse.

Death March projects can be quite fun, if and only if you're adept at navigating them. One thing you need is a willingness to be fired.

[eek]

No contract or job is worth your health. Take the advice above. While searching for your next contract, get the latest edition of Yourdon's Death March book. It's about projects such as yours. They're idiots not following the processes, stacking up technical debt that will bite them on the arse.

Death March projects can be quite fun, if and only if you're adept at navigating them. One thing you need is a willingness to be fired.

Death March projects are great if you are on hourly rate, they can be beyond a nightmare if you are on a daily rate with intense pressure pto do things out of hours because you are always in the office / at home.

[Willy Win]

Another option is to call in sick on Monday and take the week off. You're ill, you don't have to give specifics and you don't need proof for anything less than 7 days. Then go for a chat with your GP in that week and ask them if they'll sign you off. As you've recently had an operation, they're going to be sympathetic to the need for a working environment that helps you recover.

Your hiring manager may be so incensed at you daring to take a week off ill that they sack you - win, win!

Calling in sick is another option but I think that would definitely cause more hassle, with manager expecting me to call/ make contact daily with an update on how I'm feeling. Again, asking the GP to sign me off makes sense but for what and for how long? Stress? Anxiety? Would they do it or is a sign off difficult to get?

[ladymuck]

Calling in sick is another option but I think that would definitely cause more hassle, with manager expecting me to call/ make contact daily with an update on how I'm feeling. Again, asking the GP to sign me off makes sense but for what and for how long? Stress? Anxiety? Would they do it or is a sign off difficult to get?

You're definitely over thinking and panicking. It's easy to say but you need to take a step back and breathe.

Talk to your GP. Explain things to them, don't go in with a diagnosis, work on it with them. Sign off should not be difficult. Calling for an appointment should be job #1 on Monday.

If your manager calls, don't answer. Block their number or set it so it doesn't ring. You don't have to give them daily updates on your health. Talk to them only on your terms.

You can do this!

[cojak]

As eek said - you're beginning to panic and are jumping too much into detail. So here are some steps.

1. It isn't for you to worry about duration for time off sick now - that's a conversation between you and your doctor.
2. Book an appointment to see your GP, as you have recently had an operation I don't think that there'll be an issue geeting one.
3. Take the time off sick to see your GP - you don't need to say anything to the client apart from "I'm off sick".
4. See the GP - explain the circumstances. The GP may give you a date, but if they ask, tell them 2 weeks. That will either give you breathing space, or give the client the kick up the arse to do something about it (which may be termination, but already discussed).
5. In the time off, look for another contract.

If you keep asking questions - I will only point back to this thread.

[courtg9000]

As eek said - you're beginning to panic and are jumping too much into detail. So here are some steps.

1. It isn't for you to worry about duration for time off sick now - that's a conversation between you and your doctor.
2. Book an appointment to see your GP, as you have recently had an operation I don't think that there'll be an issue geeting one.
3. Take the time off sick to see your GP - you don't need to say anything to the client apart from "I'm off sick".
4. See the GP - explain the circumstances. The GP may give you a date, but if they ask, tell them 2 weeks. That will either give you breathing space, or give the client the kick up the arse to do something about it (which may be termination, but already discussed).
5. In the time off, look for another contract.

If you keep asking questions - I will only point back to this thread.

All good advice but I would try for a 28 day sick note. That gives the OP the cover for the notice period if the OP needs it.